Road bike recommendations

Does anyone have that "Ribble 4600 Evo Pro Carbon" they're flogging for £700 with tiagra?
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-evo-pro-carbon-summer-special-edition?part=SE14RIBEVOPROSUMMER&sub=conf_SERW

Does anyone have that "Ribble 4600 Evo Pro Carbon" they're flogging for £700 with tiagra?
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-evo-pro-carbon-summer-special-edition?part=SE14RIBEVOPROSUMMER&sub=conf_SERW

U should be able to get used but new bike with alu frame and 105 group for the same price - but if you want carbon+tiagra sub700, this is it. Look at Planetx full carbon Holdsworth 105 if you find an extra 100£. My roomie has ridden the Holdsworth carbon with Tiagra for a month 500k no issues.

Too good a deal not to post...

Scott Foil frameset + 6870 Di2.

yeah that is outrageous

Those frames are awesome. Both I and the mechanic at work have one, love it.

fire sale on those foils?
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-foil-hmx-team-issue-di2-frameset-with-11-speed-ultegra-6870-electric-pack-2013-p213652

That one has a note:

PLEASE NOTE
*Seatpost is inline for X-Small, Small and Medium Sizes ALL other frame sizes have the layback seatpost.
**This deal does not include Chainset, Chain, Cassette or Callipers.

When do the end of season sales on road bikes tend to start? Any tips for bagging a bargain? Cheers

September is when you'll see the real price drops. There's too many people buying current models at full price in the good weather.

Good point. Thanks

Also, be very tall or very short.

I'm after 50-53cm. Hopefully that will be childlike enough for the sales gods

Chaps - I need some help.

My existing roadbike (Specialized Allez) has finally died (crack in head tube) after years of service.

I therefore need to buy a new road bike. This will be my mile crunching bike, primarily for training, as I have a fixed gear for commuting and a tri bike for racing, so want something comfortable and fun to ride, without being soft.

My work offers bike to work, but we have to go through Halfords, therefore am limited to buying a Boardman (I am based in Ireland).

I am looking at the Boardman Carbon Pro http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_992060_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

Now they get great reviews and all but I just don't find them particularly sexy or attractive. I would much rather get a Canyon, Dolan, or Ribble, but this would mean paying double the price for a similar spec. which I cannot rationally bring myself to do.

I therefore need some supportive encouragement and reassurance that these bikes are awesome and I will not regret going for the "cheap" option.

And before anyone feels the need to point it out - Yes - I fully realise how wankerish this thread is.

Chaps - just a quick update - I received my Boardman Pro Carbon this week. I have to say that I think it is awesome. Smoother than anything else I have ever ridden (however it is my first carbon frame) but stiff when you are putting the power down. The Halfords experience was actually surprisingly okay, however I did borrow my mates torque wrench to check all the settings. Cheers for all the comments and advice.

And i am embracing being one of those c#nts on a Halfords bike.

Those frames are awesome. Both I and the mechanic at work have one, love it.

How do you find it on rough poorly maintained roads? Road.cc review reckoned it was stiff to the point of gitteryness on bad surfaces, but maybe that was wheels/tyres. Clearance for 25mms?

25s are fine. Not much more though. It can get a bit too stiff sometimes, but very rarely and as you say only on extremely poorly maintained roads. Sort of has to be potholes to be noticeably bad iykwim.

Best budget recommendations (under 500)? Second hand is fine also..

Buy mine http://www.lfgss.com/thread128983.html

What do people think of these?

I've been really wanting a geared bike recently and have something nice planned eventually but it'll be ages until that's a reality. I reckon I would be able to afford one of these sooner. Steel frame and disc brakes really appeal to me.

For you?

Already answered.

Not wanting to wear out a now ancient joke, but the lack of crabon might be a good idea...

That will be heavy as sin and you dont really need disc brakes on road bike.

Why not something like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-insight-03-105-2014/

If I was you I'd get Mr Rychtarski to build a zona/max frame with clearances for 25mm tyres and thin guards + hiver forks + new 105 5800 + Shimano OTP wheels; I think all that can be done under £1500 which I know is not your budget but you mentioned 'something nice' so that could be it.

The weight doesn't really bother me, I know I don't need discs but they make sense to me if I'm going to be riding a lot in the wet and I won't have to worry as much if I want to put bigger tyres on at some point.

I'm also really not looking for anything carbon right now.

I'm going to be riding a lot in the wet and I won't have to worry as much if I want to put bigger tyres on at some point.

still dont know where discs come into this ..

...If I was you I'd get Mr Rychtarski to build a zona/max frame with clearances for 25mm tyres and thin guards...

This is pretty much what my long-term plan is.